JOLTS: Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey
Understanding the JOLTS report: Key labor market insights beyond unemployment rates.
What is JOLTS?
The Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) is a comprehensive monthly report produced by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), a division of the U.S. Department of Labor. Unlike traditional employment reports that focus primarily on unemployment rates and job creation, JOLTS provides a more nuanced view of labor market dynamics by measuring not just job creation, but also job separations, quits, layoffs, and unfilled job openings. This multifaceted approach gives economists, policymakers, investors, and job seekers a deeper understanding of how the American labor market is functioning at any given time.
The JOLTS program collects data from a sample of approximately 16,000 to 20,000 U.S. business establishments across all nonagricultural industries in both public and private sectors. This voluntary survey covers all 50 states and the District of Columbia, providing both national and state-level insights. The program was officially launched in 2004 with data extending back to December 2000, though the concept had been tested as an experimental survey starting in 2002.
Key Metrics Measured by JOLTS
JOLTS tracks several critical labor market indicators that paint a comprehensive picture of employment dynamics:
Total Employment
This metric measures the total number of jobs available in sampled establishments, providing a snapshot of the overall employment landscape across industries and regions.
Job Openings
Job openings represent unfilled positions that employers are actively trying to fill. This metric is particularly valuable because it measures demand for labor from the employer’s perspective. The job openings rate is calculated by dividing the number of job openings by the sum of total employment and job openings, then multiplying by 100. This percentage indicates what fraction of jobs in the economy remain vacant.
Hires
JOLTS measures the total number of workers hired during the survey period, including both new hires and rehires of workers who previously separated from the company.
Quits
Quits represent voluntary resignations by employees. This metric is crucial for understanding worker confidence and labor market mobility. High quit rates typically indicate that workers feel confident about finding better employment opportunities, suggesting a tight labor market and employee optimism about their career prospects.
Layoffs and Discharges
These involuntary separations provide insight into employer behavior during economic downturns. Rising layoff rates can signal economic instability or sector-specific challenges, while declining layoffs suggest business confidence and economic expansion.
Other Separations
This category includes retirements, deaths, and other reasons for job separation that are neither quits nor layoffs.
Why JOLTS Matters for Labor Market Analysis
The unemployment rate alone provides an incomplete picture of labor market health. While unemployment measures the excess supply of labor—people actively seeking work but unable to find jobs—JOLTS measures the demand side of the labor equation. The unfilled jobs statistic, which calculates the job openings rate, reveals unmet labor demand. Together, these metrics create a more complete understanding of labor market tightness and imbalances.
When job openings exceed the number of unemployed workers seeking employment, the labor market is considered tight, which typically leads to wage pressure and potentially higher inflation. Conversely, when unemployment exceeds job openings, the labor market has slack, suggesting potential downward pressure on wages and lower inflation risk.
JOLTS data also helps analysts understand labor market churn—the dynamic movement of workers between jobs. Information about quits versus layoffs provides valuable context for policymakers designing workforce development programs and helps businesses understand competitive pressures for talent in their industries.
Historical Context and Development
The concept of tracking job openings and labor turnover is not entirely new. The BLS previously collected hires and separations data from 1954 to 1981, but this program was discontinued. In the 1990s, there were attempts to collect job openings data by occupation, but these efforts proved too expensive to sustain. Recognizing the value of this information, Congress approved funding in 1998 to revive a comprehensive job openings and turnover survey. This led to experimental JOLTS numbers being published in 2002 and official data beginning in 2004.
The JOLTS report gained significant prominence in 2021 and 2022 when both job openings and quit rates reached all-time highs, a phenomenon that economists termed the “Great Resignation.” During this period, JOLTS data became essential for understanding the widespread labor market dynamics that were reshaping the American economy.
Data Collection and Release Schedule
JOLTS follows a structured timeline that differs from the more familiar monthly employment report. While the employment and unemployment report is released with a one-month lag, JOLTS reports are released approximately two months after the reference period. For example, a JOLTS report released in May would contain data from March. National estimates are published first, followed by state-level data releases approximately two weeks later.
Like other BLS employment statistics, JOLTS data undergoes annual revisions to account for new information and methodological improvements. Both actual estimates (expressed in thousands) and rate calculations are published, allowing analysts to examine both the magnitude and intensity of labor market movements.
Interpreting JOLTS Data by State and Industry
JOLTS provides valuable geographic and sectoral detail. States experience different labor market conditions based on their economic structures and regional dynamics. For instance, a state like South Dakota might report 27,000 job openings while Minnesota, with its larger population, reports 179,000 openings. These raw numbers gain more meaning when converted to rates, which normalize for the size of the labor market.
The survey breaks down job openings across different industries, revealing where labor shortages are most acute. Some sectors, such as healthcare, hospitality, and professional services, frequently show elevated job opening rates, reflecting structural skill mismatches or geographic imbalances in labor supply.
Applications of JOLTS in Economic Analysis
For Job Seekers
JOLTS data helps job seekers identify regions and industries with robust hiring activity. By understanding where job openings are concentrated, workers can make informed decisions about career paths, geographic relocation, and skill development investments.
For Policymakers
Government officials use JOLTS to assess labor market health and design effective workforce policies. High quit rates might prompt initiatives to enhance job training programs, while rising layoffs could signal the need for economic stimulus or targeted industry support.
For Investors and Economists
Wall Street analysts and economic forecasters closely monitor JOLTS releases to understand labor market tightness and anticipate inflation pressures. These insights inform decisions about asset allocation, interest rate expectations, and sector rotation strategies.
For Businesses
Employers use JOLTS to understand competitive labor market dynamics in their industries. Elevated job opening rates suggest fierce competition for talent, which may necessitate higher wages or improved benefits to attract and retain workers.
JOLTS and Economic Cycles
JOLTS data exhibits clear patterns across economic cycles. During recessions, job openings decline while layoffs increase, reflecting reduced business confidence and economic contraction. Conversely, during economic expansions, job openings rise and quits increase as workers confidently pursue better opportunities. States like Minnesota have consistently shown that their job opening rates and patterns closely track national trends, demonstrating the interconnected nature of regional and national economies.
The relationship between job openings and unemployment has become increasingly important for Federal Reserve policy decisions. When job openings significantly exceed unemployment, suggesting substantial labor market tightness, central banks may adopt more restrictive monetary policies to prevent overheating and excessive inflation.
Limitations and Considerations
While JOLTS provides invaluable labor market insights, users should understand its limitations. The survey is based on a sample of establishments, so estimates come with sampling variability. Additionally, JOLTS measures job openings at a point in time and includes positions that may be difficult to fill due to skill mismatches, location challenges, or compensation constraints. Therefore, a high job opening rate does not automatically translate to easy employment for all job seekers, as skill alignment remains crucial.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How often is JOLTS released?
A: JOLTS is released monthly by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, typically providing data from two months prior.
Q: What is the difference between JOLTS and the monthly employment report?
A: While the employment report focuses on jobs created and unemployment rates, JOLTS provides a more comprehensive view including job openings, quits, layoffs, and other separations.
Q: Where can I access JOLTS data?
A: JOLTS data is available on the Bureau of Labor Statistics website at bls.gov/jlt, where you can access national, state, and industry-level information.
Q: What does a high quit rate indicate?
A: High quit rates typically suggest employee confidence about job prospects and better opportunities for career advancement, often indicating a tight labor market.
Q: How is the job openings rate calculated?
A: The job openings rate is calculated by dividing job openings by the sum of total employment and job openings, then multiplying by 100.
References
- What is JOLTS? — U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 2002. https://www.bls.gov/jlt/jltwhat.htm
- JOLTS Home — U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 2025. https://www.bls.gov/jlt/
- JOLTS report — Wikipedia. 2025. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JOLTS_report
- Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (ICPSR 36545) — Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research, University of Michigan. 2025. https://www.icpsr.umich.edu/web/NADAC/studies/36545
- The Job Openings & Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) and Labor Market Analysis — Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. June 2023. https://mn.gov/deed/newscenter/publications/trends/june-2023/jolts.jsp
- JOLTS analysis — Economic Policy Institute. 2025. https://www.epi.org/indicators/jolts/
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